Description of the Event: Bees have been in the spotlight lately – for good reason. So many food crops depend on bees and other pollinators for production – including our vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Clay Ottoni will introduce us to the fascinating world of honey bees and beekeeping. We will also learn what we can grow in our yard to support and encourage these industrious insects. One lucky attendee will win a bottle of honey! In addition to being an attorney, beekeeper, and farmer, Clay is current president of SEMBA (Southeast Michigan Beekeepers Association) http://www.sembabees.org/ and a long time beekeeper. He has been a long-time volunteer at Tollgate, winning Tollgate's Ginger Meyer Award and Golden Shovel Award. He has also been a Master Gardener, Advanced Master Gardener, and Master Gardener of the Year. He is Tollgate's own beekeeper, and for eight years has been teaching the beekeeping course at Tollgate. He speaks about beekeeping to several community groups and such beekeeping organizations as the Michigan Beekeepers Association, Michigan Honey Festival, Monroe Bee Club, Oakland Bee Club, Pine River Bee Club, and SEMBA. He also volunteers with, and has been a speaker/presenter for, several local wildlife and habitat groups including the Bower's Farm, Michigan Nut Growers Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, and Quality Deer Management Association.

Michigan Master Gardener Association, Inc.

Formed in early 2012, the Michigan Master Gardener Association is dedicated to supporting the volunteer and social efforts that have been part of the Michigan Master Gardener Program since its inception. We also offer an array of benefits to master gardener volunteers.

DO YOU HAVE A GARDENING EVENT YOU'D LIKE ADDED TO THE MMGA CALENDAR?

Just fill out an events form. Be sure to put the word EVENTS in the subject line. The best way to reach us is by using our online events form. Click here to go directly to that page. Once you've filled out the online form it goes directly to our events email. If you choose you can download form by clicking on this link. With this method you'll need to print and fill out the form, scan it and then email it back to us.

does your master gardener group have a special project that you'd like to share? does your group have someone that goes above and beyond?

We'd like to hear about it. Please fill out our Spotlight Form and tell us what's going on in YOUR county. We'll follow up with you for more information and photos, and then we'll get the word out to our members. This is a great way to share your success, and an easy way to share great ideas with other Master Gardener groups.